NCAT vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

Compare North Carolina A & T State University in Greensboro, NC with Columbia College in Columbia, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

North Carolina A & T State University is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (14,311 students vs. 1,725 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• North Carolina A & T State University is located in Greensboro, NC (Large City setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• North Carolina A & T State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: North Carolina A & T State University 20:1; Columbia College 12:1.

NCAT vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NCAT or Columbia College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at North Carolina A & T State University than Columbia College ($10,097 vs. $18,790).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Carolina A & T State University are 5.9% lower than at Columbia College ($8,832 vs. $9,390).
• Columbia College is 226.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than NCAT (about $15,401 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $6,813.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.5% higher at Columbia College than at North Carolina A & T State University (about $1,541 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $20,673.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College than at North Carolina A & T State University (97% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 61.2% larger than aid received by North Carolina A & T State University students ($16,451 vs. $10,203).

NCAT vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NCAT or Columbia College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Columbia College and NCAT.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at North Carolina A & T State University (1110) is 110 points higher than at Columbia College (1000).
• Incoming NCAT students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 16 at Columbia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina A & T State University 1020/1190; Columbia College 850/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina A & T State University 17/23; Columbia College 14/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NCAT - Test optional; Columbia College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: NCAT Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NCAT students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Columbia College (3.56).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than NCAT (49.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15% at NCAT vs. 8.5% at Columbia College.

NCAT vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NCAT and Columbia College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Columbia College's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than North Carolina A & T State University's (41%).
• Graduates from North Carolina A & T State University earn a median of about $3,400 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,100 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College graduates have a $3,736 lower median loan debt than NCAT graduates ($25,264 vs. $29,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NCAT graduates ($261 vs. $299).
• More Columbia College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NCAT students, three years after graduation. (43% vs. 27%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.